Tech News · 01 September 2026

Tim Cook Steps Down as Apple CEO; John Ternus Takes Over

Apple’s hardware engineering chief becomes chief executive as Cook moves into the newly created role of executive chairman.

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By GadgetScout Editorial Editorial teamPublished

What you need to know

  • Tim Cook’s final day as Apple CEO was 31 August, with John Ternus taking over on 1 September.
  • Cook remains at Apple as executive chairman and stays on its board of directors.
  • Ternus’s first keynote as CEO is Apple’s 9 September product event.

Tim Cook has stepped down as Apple chief executive after 15 years in the job, with hardware engineering chief John Ternus taking over as CEO from today, 1 September 2026.

Tim Cook and John Ternus at a corporate campus
John Ternus became Apple CEO on 1 September 2026, succeeding Tim Cook after 15 years in the role.

Cook’s final day as chief executive was 31 August. He remains at Apple as executive chairman and will stay on the company’s board, assisting with certain aspects of the business including engagement with policymakers around the world, Apple said.

The change was announced in April, when Apple named Ternus as Cook’s successor. In a farewell memo to staff, Cook wrote: “Today is my last day as CEO of Apple. This is a moment I always knew would come one day, and yet it is still hard to believe it has arrived and I am writing these words.”

Apple’s new chief executive

Ternus joined Apple in 2001 and became a vice president of hardware engineering in 2013, before being promoted to senior vice president in 2021. His work has covered product lines including the iPad, AirPods and Apple Watch.

Cook described his successor as having “the mind of an engineer, the soul of an innovator, and the heart to lead with integrity and with honor” when the succession was announced.

Cook became CEO in August 2011, after Apple co-founder Steve Jobs resigned. During his tenure, Apple launched products and services including Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple Vision Pro and Apple TV+, while expanding its Services business. Apple’s market value grew from roughly $350 billion to more than $4 trillion under Cook.

A key moment before Apple’s September event

Ternus will face his first major public test as CEO on 9 September, when Apple holds its “Surprise and Shine” product keynote at 10am PT. Apple has announced the event will include the iPhone 18 Pro range and its first foldable iPhone.

Further details on specifications, UK pricing and UK release dates have not been confirmed. For British buyers, the leadership switch itself changes nothing immediately, but Ternus’s first keynote should offer the clearest indication yet of how Apple plans to handle its next major iPhone form factor.

Why it matters

The handover has no immediate effect on UK Apple customers, as the company’s product plans and upcoming September event were already in motion. But Ternus takes charge at a crucial point for Apple, with its first foldable iPhone expected to be among the products in focus. UK buyers should watch his first keynote for confirmed specifications, pricing and local availability.

Sources: ABC News · 9to5Mac · MacRumors
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